THE Northern Blues will play in a practice match against Essendon tonight at Ikon Park.

The game will commence at 6.30pm and be played in four 20-minute flat quarters.

The match will be free and open to the public. With both AFL and AFLW Blues interstate this weekend, it’s the perfect chance to support the VFL team in their first hit-out of the year.

A returning Caleb Marchbank will bring a smile to Blues supporters, after being named for his first game since July 2019. He’ll be joined down back by Laurie Hill Trophy winner, Hugh Goddard.

Three members of Carlton’s draft class will also feature, with Josh Honey, Sam Ramsay and Fraser Phillips to take on the VFL Bombers.Northern will also get the chance to show off its VFL recruits that have been acquired in the off-season, with Jordan Cunico, Jake Bartholomaeus, Cody Hirst and Tim Jones named to play.
Kieran Collins will also make his way back into the side, after only playing one game in 2019 due to injury.
It will be a new-look Northern outfit in 2020, with tonight’s practice match marking the first step in what will hopefully be a fruitful season.
NORTHERN SQUAD V ESSENDON
13. Liam Stocker, 22. Caleb Marchbank, 33. Sam Ramsay, 36. Josh Honey, 37. Ben Silvagni, 38. Finbar O’Dwyer, 44. Matthew Owies, 45. Hugh Goddard, 46. Matthew Cottrell, 51. Alex Johnson, 53. Jordan Cunico, 54. Jean-Luc Velissaris, 55. Jake Bartholomaeus, 56. Aaron Gundry, 57. Cody Hirst, 61. Kieran Collins, 63. Joe Richards, 64. Tim Jones, 65. Tom Mills, 66. Glenn Strachan, 67. Ben Hurley, 70. Kye Quirk, 72. Noah Wheeler, 75. Ryan Sturgess, 77. Mason Blakey, 79. Matthew Gundry, 80. Jack Boyd